A conversation with Dr. David Chaletsky, Gastroenterologist, Hartford Hospital about Treatment Options for Acid Re-flux Disease:
HHC: What is Acid Re-flux? It doesn’t always come in the form of heartburn, is that correct?
A. When acid from the stomach regurgitates up into the esophagus on a regular basis that is the condition called acid re-flux or GERD. It is quite common, occurs for many reasons, and often results in heartburn, but almost half of patients either have no symptoms or atypical issues such as persistent cough, throat clearing, or even chest pain.
HHC: What are the treatment options that Hartford Hospital offers to patients with Acid Re-flux?
A. Standard treatment would be medications either over the counter or prescription, as well as diet modification. This essentially neutralizes the acid but doesn’t fix the underlying problem of re-flux. For patients with severe issues, there are minimally invasive anti-re-flux surgeries that we offer to eliminate the re-flux.
HHC: For those patients with Acid Re-flux, who is at risk for developing esophageal cancer?
A. Everyone with acid re-flux is at risk. That’s why if you do have symptoms, it is important to see your doctor to determine your level of risk and whether you should be screened. Some individuals with a family history of esophagus cancer, long standing re-flux symptoms, and certain other risk factors are at higher risk.
q. How do you screen for possible Pre-cancer?
A. THE BEST METHOD IS A SIMPLE TEST CALLED AN UPPER ENDOSCOPY. A SHORT PROCEDURE PERFORMED BY A GASTROENTEROLOGIST UNDER SEDATION WHICH LOOKS DIRECTLY AT THE LINING OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND CAN ACCURATELY DETECT THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS – PRE-CANCEROUS TISSUE WHICH, WHEN CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH, CAN BE TREATED IN ORDER TO PREVENT PROGRESSION TO CANCER.
Q. If a pre-cancerous lesion is detected, what are the treatment options to remove it before turning to cancer?
A. EET – ENDOSCOPIC ERADICATION THERAPY. AT HARTFORD HOSPITAL, WE NAVIGATE OUR PATIENTS THROUGH A COORDINATED, TEAM APPROACH TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE PRE-CANCROUS AREAS, AND IN SOME CASES WE ARE ABLE TO REMOVE AREAS THAT HAVE ALREADY TURNED CANCEROUS. WE OFFER THE FULL ARRAY OF ABLATION AND ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION TECHNOLOGIES.